Machine for ungraining and softening hides



c, FRANSON. MACHINE FOR UNGRAINING AND SOFTENING HIDES.

APPLICATION FILED APR. H, 192i.

Patented Aug. 8, 1922.

fiW ENTOR. CLAUD fiRANSON. ATTORNEY.

MACHINE FOR UNGRAININGAND SOFTENING HIDES.

Specification of Letters Patent. H Patented Aug, 8, 1922,, Application filed April 11,,19'21-., Serial No. 460,605.

(GRANTED UNDER THE PROVISIONS or THE Acres Manor: a, 1921, 41 s'ra'r. n, 1313.)

1 0 a! Z whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, Cninnrcs Fnanson, a citizen of the French Republic, and resident of Annonay, Ardeche, France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Ungraining and Softening Hides (for which I have filed an application in France February 25, 1919. Patent No. 497,036), of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines designed to soften hides by means of flat softening tools, whereby the grains are removed from the wool-side of the hides.

In machines heretofore used for this pur pose it was difficult to work on fine skins or hides. which under the action of the cutting blades are easily torn, whilst perforated hides could only be treated on said machines with the greatest care.

An essential feature of the improved machines hereinafter described is that the cutters, arranged at angles on the supporting cylinder and the cutting edges of which are arched, are made of substantially triangular shape in elevation and grouped in two series, the blades of each being parallel to each other and riding at the center of the cylinder over the adjacent parallel blades of the second series, the various cutting edges thus forming a supporting surface for the hide to be treated, whereby any desired hide, even very fine hides and perforated hides may be easily softened without liability of tearing the same.

The cutter carrying device or cylinder is mounted on a shaft which may be operated by any desired engine or motor. The numbers and size of the cutters depend of course on the size of the cutter carrying cylinder.

The design of the cutter carrying cylinder is in relation with the particular purpose of the machine: If the machine is designed to soften the central parts of hides, it will be provided with a narrow cutter carrying cylinder. If the machine is designed to soften the edge portions of hides, it will be provided with a wider cutter carrying cylinder.

In the first named machine the abutment preferably of copper which serves to hold the hides is provided with transversely arranged ribs. whilst the abutment of the second named machine is preferably formed of a simple plate of copper.

' The frame ofsaid machines is formed of cast iron plates provided with flanges and ribs, the latter-"extending radially from a common cen-t-erwhere they form a bearing for the shaft supporting the cutter carrying cylinder.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a machine for softening the central portions of hides.

F ig. 2 is an end elevation of a machine for softening the edge portions of hides.

Fig. 3 is a rear side elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to the draw ings, 1 designates the blades having arched cutting edges and extending obliquely from the opposite edges of the blade carrying cylinder to thecenter thereof, said blades riding over each other at the center of the cylinder as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, so as to form a net of lines for supporting the hide to be treated on a large number of points of contact, whereby the hide may be softened without being torn by the rotating cutting edges engaging the hide.

The blade carrier 8 is keyed on a shaft 6 operated by a suitable engine and journalled in a ball bearing 10 arranged within a suitable recess of the cast iron plate 3 at the point from which the ribs 7 are radiating.

Arranged at the outside and laterally of the blade carrier 8 is an abutment 2 made of copper, which in the machine shown in 'Figs. 1 and 3 for softening the central por-= tions of hides is provided with transversely arranged ribs 9, whilst in the machine shown in Fig. 2 for softening the edge portions of hides said abutment 2 is formed of a simple plate of copper.

l designates a sheet metal plate which in both kinds of machines serves to close one side of said machines. 5 designates the braces connecting the plates 3 of the frame.

I wish it to be understood that my invention is not limited to the preferred and actual embodiment above described and shown in the accompanying drawing and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of my invention.

Having now fully described my said invention, whatl claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A cutter carrying cylinder for machines for softening hides and blades arranged on the periphery thereof, said blades beingarranged in opposing sets with the blades of each set substantially parallel and extending from one edge of the carrier in a straight line at an angle to the axial plane of the carrier and projected at their inner ends beyond the corresponding inner ends of the other set of blades, the operative edges of the blades curving from the side edges of the carrier toward the peripheral center thereof. y

2. A cutter carrying cylinder for machines for softening hides, and blades arranged.

CLAUDIUS FRANsoN. a 8.] Witnesses:

F. OHILAND, HOWARD CHPULV'ER. 

